Radio Components – Other Components

Radio Components – Other Components

Headphones

All aviation headsets have the ability to transmit and receive.

Some are better at protecting from hearing loss. (eg David Clarks)

Some are noise cancelling (doesn’t protect from hearing loss). (eg Bose)

Some are not required to protect from hearing loss or noise cancelling. (e.g. seinheiser headsets are commonly used in jets.)

Handheld Radio

To turn a handheld radio on turn the Power/ Volume switch clockwise.

Includes:

  • Battery
  • Aerial
  • Power/ Volume Switch
  • Press to Talk (PTT) Switch
  • Microphone
  • Speaker
  • Squelch Control Switch
  • Frequency Display
  • Keypad/ Frequency Selector
  • Charging Station
Aircraft Fixed Avionics Radio

Avionics = Aviation + Electronics

Avionics refers to all the aircrafts electronics, this can include Navigation Units, GPWS, Autopilot systems, Flight Management Guidance Systems / Computers etc. Avionics Engineers are specialists who maintain these electronics.

To turn a fixed radio on:

  • Turn the aircraft Master Switch ON
  • Turn the Avionics Master Switch ON
  • Ensure the Radio/ Volume Switch is ON @ approx 12-2 o’clock position

Frequencies are generally selected in the Standby (right hand frequency display):

  • There are 2 knobs within the radio (red circle) they are place one inside the other
  • To change frequency increase with clockwise rotation / decrease with anti-clockwise rotation:
  • the larger outer knob will change the numbers to the left of the decimal point
  • The smaller inner knob will change the decimal numbers
  • To make this standby frequency active press the white Frequency Transfer button <->
  • Includes:
    • Power/ Volume Switch
    • Squelch Control Switch
    • Frequency Displays
    • Frequency Selectors
    • Frequency Transfer Button
  • Attached to:
    • Aircraft Battery via an Avionics Master Switch
    • Aircraft Aerial
    • Audio Control Panel
    • Press to Talk (PTT) Switch
    • Microphone
    • Speaker
Advanced Systems combine functions

Radio interfaces in more advanced aircraft will look similar to these.

Garmin

Garmin combine radios and GPWS navigation in this example.

Airbus ACP

Airbus radio frequencies are selected via a Radio Management Panel (RMP) – not shown
Airbus Audio is selected via an Audio Control Panel (ACP) – bottom left

  • Select and illuminate pushbutton to select speaker volume
  • Select and illuminate mic pushbutton to speak on VHF, HF radios, or INT intercom, or CAB cabin, or to make an announcement on the PA public announcement
  • An additional option for the intercom and radio is a selection switch which makes the mike live, this is similar to what is on General Aviation (light) aircraft.